Carnation plant named CFPC SABRE

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Carnation Plant named CFPC SABRE, a cross from breeding unnamed and unpatented seedlings identified as No. 00117 and No. RI 005, distinguished from its parents, as well as any other variety known to me, by its bright red color, abundant and stable production, fast growing response which does not slow down during cool periods, non-silvering under cool conditions, and when compared to the commercial variety of closest color, Rony, it has a three to four day longer vase-life, has less serrated petal edges and a higher crowned fuller appearance, and the petals are arranged so that anthers are less conspicious.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Carnation Plant named CFPC SABRE which was originated by me by crossing unnamed and unpatented seedlings in a controlled breeding program at commercial nurseries at Fremont and Salinas, Calif. The female, or seed parent was identified as No. 00117, and the male, or pollen parent, was identified as No. RI 005.

The primary objectives of this breeding were to produce a miniature red carnation cultivar of excellent color; abundant production with a fast growing response which would not slow down during cool periods or show color silvering; and a smoother, less serrated petal-edge.

These objectives were fully achieved, along with other desirable improvements, as evidenced by the following unique combination of principal characteristics which are outstanding in my new cultivar, CFPC SABRE, and which distinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other carnations of which I am aware. The closest commercial cultivar in color to the new cultivar is the commercially available, unpatented Carnation Plant named Rony.

The distinguishing characteristics which are outstanding in the new cultivar are as follows:

1. large, spray-type flowers which open fully without bursting the clayx and causing "splits";

2. a distinctive bright red flower color;

3. a very vigorous and free-breaking plant habit with strong, straight sprays;

4. pinched plants are shorter than pinched plants of Rony;

5. the foliage is very durable; not sensitive to firing;

6. flowering time is six weeks earlier than Rony;

7. color is lighter and brighter than Rony, and does not turn darker and blacker in cool temperatures as Rony does;

8. petal edges are less serrated than Rony, and flowers have a more formal, fuller appearance;

9. vase-life is 3 to 4 days longer than Rony's under equal conditions.

Asexual reproduction and flowerings of the new cultivar where performed by Applicant using side shoot cuttings rooted in peat and "Perlite" under mist, in commercial greenhouses with coverings of either glass, fiberglass or polyethylene plastic located at Fremont and Salinas, Calif. The new cultivar was found to retain its distinctive characteristics as listed herein through successive propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photograph illustrates typical specimens of the new carnation in different stages of development (tight buds, partially opened buds and flowers in full bloom) and shows the bright, red color and vigorous, free-breaking growth habit and strong, straight stems of CFPC SABRE. The color photograph depictes the color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to do in a color illustration of this character.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following is a detailed description of the new carnation plant of the present invention based on observations of plants grown inside commercial greenhouses at Fremont and Salinas, Calif.; the height of plant, and flower and foliage size established as an average using standard commercial cultural practices. The data provided accurately characterizes the new cultivar in question. The color terminology used in the following is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the stated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal and cultural conditions.

PLANT

Name: CFPC SABRE.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dianthus caryophyllus.

Commercial.--Carnation, greenhouse type, suitable for cut flower production as a spray.

Origin:

Female parent.--unnamed and unpatented Carnation Plant identified as No. 00117.

Male parent.--Unnamed and unpatented Carnation Plant identified as No. RI 005.

The following table compares the new cultivar with its closest commercial variety of which I am aware.

    ______________________________________                                         TABLE OF COMPARISON                                                            New Cultivar CFPC SABRE                                                                           RONY                                                        ______________________________________                                         PLANT:                                                                         Height 38"         42"                                                         Form: rounded, high crown                                                                         same                                                        Growing Habit: stiff, semi-upright                                                                same                                                        Blooming Habit: spray, 6 to 7                                                                     spray, 5 to 6 buds                                          buds and flowers   and flowers                                                 Blooming Season: year-round                                                                       same                                                        Rooting Time/Habit: 18 to 20 days                                                                 same                                                        Stem:                                                                          Color: green       same                                                        Breaking action: excellent                                                                        same                                                        Mutation Prone No  same                                                        Temperature Tolerance: very                                                                       good but will blacken if                                    good               too cold                                                    FOLIAGE:                                                                       Color                                                                          Upper side: grey-green 139B                                                                       same                                                        Lower side: grey-green 138B                                                                       same                                                        Size:                                                                          2" to 41/4" long   21/2" to 41/2" long                                         1/4" to 3/8" wide  same                                                        Quanty: numerous   same                                                        Shape: lanceolate pointed elongated                                                               same                                                        Texture: smooth    same                                                        Ribs: indented mid-rib                                                                            same                                                        Arrangement: bi-laterial at nodes                                                                 same                                                        BLOOM:                                                                         Form: spray        same                                                        Shape: rounded high crown                                                                         same                                                        Inflorescence: 6 to 7 per stem                                                                    5 to 6 per stem                                             flower: -diameter average: 23/4" to 3"                                                            23/4" to 31/4"                                              depth: 11/4"       same                                                        Borne: on elongated peduncles as                                                                  same                                                        a spray                                                                        Color:                                                                         general tonality: red                                                                             dark red                                                    Upper side: red group 46A-47A                                                                     red group 46A-45C                                           Lower side: red group 44A-44B                                                                     46C                                                         Center: 46A-47A    46A-45C                                                     Outer petals: 46A-47A                                                                             46A-45C                                                     Permanence yes     same                                                        Keeping habit: 10 to 12 days                                                                      8 to 10 days                                                Fragrance: slight  same                                                        PETALAGE:                                                                      Number: 28 to 29   27 to 28                                                    Outer petals,                                                                  length 11/4"       11/2"                                                       width 7/8"         1"                                                          Central petals,                                                                length 5/8"        2/3"                                                        width 3/8"         1/2"                                                        Texture: smooth    same                                                        Appearance: smooth same                                                        Form: fan-shaped   same                                                        REPRODUCTION ORGANS:                                                           Stamen:                                                                        number: 8 to 9     same                                                        arrangement: whorled                                                                              same                                                        around base of ovary                                                           anthers: color: white                                                                             same                                                        Pistil:                                                                        number: 2          same                                                        stigma: 2          same                                                        Pollen:                                                                        color: white       same                                                        abundant: yes      same                                                        Fertility: average same                                                        ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. A new and distinctive cultivar of Carnation Plant, named CFPC SABRE substantially as herein shown and described. 